Attorneys Get $1.8M of Chicago Police Shooting Settlement

CHICAGO — A published report says attorneys received $1.8 million of a $5 million settlement they negotiated with the city of Chicago on behalf of the family of a black teenager shot to death by a white police officer. Lawyers Jeffrey Neslund and Michael Robbins first demanded $16 million from the city — $1 million for each shot fired by officer Jason Van Dyke into 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Release of a video showing Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times has triggered persistent protests, forced the resignation of the city’s police chief and put the entire Police Department under a wide-ranging civil rights investigation by the U.S. Defense attorney Dan Herbert told reporters at the courthouse that he intends to seek a change of venue because of remarks Emanuel has made in several public appearances.

It was Van Dyke’s first appearance in court since a grand jury indicted him on Wednesday Van Dyke, right, leaves the courtroom after a hearing with his attorney Daniel Herbert. Community activists have called for the appointment of a special prosecutor, arguing that the 13 months it took Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez to announce charges has led to a lack of confidence in her handling of the case. Marvin Hunter, McDonald’s great uncle, told reporters that the family has little confidence in the county court system and is asking for federal oversight to ensure fair proceedings.

Perhaps the most well-known case, from the early 1990s, involved the four white officers charged with beating, kicking and stomping black motorist Rodney King. The trial was moved out of Los Angeles to Simi Valley, a predominantly white city in a neighboring county, where the four officers were acquitted of most of the charges, setting off rioting that left 54 people dead.